Find your purpose

At Zeta, we pursue an unprecedented combination of high academic achievement and social-emotional development. We insist that every child receives a world-class education while fostering a love for learning. Our purpose lies in changing the public education landscape for all of New York City's children, and we are uncompromising in our mission.

To achieve our vision, we are searching for a stellar General Counsel and Director of Special Projects with significant experience at a law firm, charter schools, the private sector, fast-paced, high-performing nonprofits, and/or other related fields. The ideal candidate has a proven record of success and a disciplined focus on establishing and executing scalable processes. The position title and salary will be commensurate with candidate experience relative to Zeta's organizational levels.

Deliver powerful results

As the General Counsel and Director of Special Projects at Zeta, you will support our team to ensure that Zeta's organizational and legal interests are fully protected and to advance systemic change in public education. You will oversee Zeta's legal and advisory strategy, leveraging your legal skills to facilitate our growth and broaden our impact, with the following responsibilities:

• Act as advisor to the CEO
• Manage the organization's legal and legal-adjacent matters in consultation with the CEO, including schooling, business/finance, real estate, employment, special education, litigation, and other matters
• Ensure Zeta's compliance with applicable laws and regulations, while centering on Zeta's core value of doing what's right for kids rather than a compliance perspective
• Execute timely, accurate regulatory reporting that highlights Zeta's work and mission
• Review contracts in service of protecting Zeta's mission and stewarding resources for kids
• Negotiate and land favorable world-class facilities deals
• Manage government relationships
• Support board meetings, ensuring the boards' execution of their fiduciary duties
• Submit excellent charter applications and renewals
• Maintain strong external relationships that lead to substantial pro bono legal support
• Manage external counsel, including in the areas of real estate, litigation, employment, etc. to drive speedy, desired outcomes in service of kids
• Learn and monitor education-related policy and legislative developments, and advance policy strategies that increase access to high-quality public education
• Create and codify scalable legal and organizational practices and policies
• Manage special projects supporting the organization's strategic and/or growth priorities
• Wear multiple hats as a part of a lean start-up team, supporting the work of others on the team and taking on new projects and tasks as needed
• Manage one attorney, guiding their work and supporting them in independently driving excellent work

Join our passionate community

Our Zeta team is comprised of top talent with incredible schooling and private sector experience. You will make a tremendous team member at Zeta if you:

• Are passionate about our mission of providing world-class education to all students
• Bring a mindset of growth, flexibility, and openness to feedback
• Are hungry and determined to not only meet your goals, but surpass them
• Are humble, willing to put the team's needs ahead of your own, and committed to contributing to a collaborative work environment
• Are well organized and detail-oriented
• Are able to work independently and manage projects with many moving parts and various stakeholders

We maintain an unrelenting focus on team at Zeta, so you must be humble, willing to put the team's needs ahead of your own, and committed to contributing to a collaborative work environment. At Zeta, your voice will be valued. As part of a lean growth organization, we expect all our teammates to wear multiple hats and have a can-do attitude about overcoming any hurdle!

We want lifelong learners who live with child-like joy and passion. At Zeta, we need you to bring your passion for learning to disrupt the status quo and tackle problems with creative solutions.

The salary range for this position is between $150,000 and $175,000. Compensation is based on candidates' qualifications and experience.

Apply Now

Currently, Zeta operates multiple schools, in the South Bronx and Upper Manhattan. We have big growth plans because the educational crisis is massive and requires big solutions. We plan to open 1-2 schools each year. Join our growing team today, and change the landscape of public education in New York City. If you can't wait to get started, apply now!

Equity is at the heart of our mission. We have a deep commitment to pursuing diversity and striving for equity. Zeta is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Work authorization is required (candidate must have permanent authorization to work in the U.S.).

COVID-19 vaccination mandate: Employment with Zeta Charter Schools is conditioned on proof of full vaccination and booster against the COVID-19 virus or approval of an exemption due to a qualifying medical condition.